A new twist on the mason jar....

Since I live in Michigan, I love to promote products made in Michigan and I was recently approached by Matt, the owner of LioProducts, to check out a cool product... something that I would have never guessed could have been made.

So, Mason Jars are quite popular. You can find a bazillion different ways to use them on Pinterest.... but would you have guessed they can be made into speakers?

Yep, you read that right. Mason. Jar. Speakers.

Wait, wait... I'll show you...

Image from Etsy

Yes, those are speakers! They really work... and really rock! 

So, anyhow, I said of course I'd review! This looks like a fab product and again.... made in Michigan!

I received the speaker super quick and I was impressed with the packing. I was pretty confused by the large box (I stood there wondering what on earth I had ordered...only to remember I hadn't.) but when I opened it I totally had the aha moment. Yes, that's the mail carrier in me... I get impressed by proper packing. 

This speaker is heavy. Well, the speaker isn't overly heavy, but that is one heck of a power hook up!

 The plug-in is majorly heavy duty and the Mason Jar is a real glass quart size mason jar so it's a substantial piece as well. I really enjoy the decorative look, especially with mason jars being so popular right now.

The speaker itself works well. I have no complaints on the speaker. There isn't an independent volume control, it's all device driven, but when connected to my phone it packs plenty of punch, easily filling a room. (My co-workers were impressed).  

The top is covered with mesh, and the ring is secured (I'm assuming glued).

The power cord and jack connect to the side of the jar, and you are good to go, ready to rock, done to dance!

Definitely take a moment to check out this great decorative- but still USEFUL- speaker from Matt over at Etsy!

Baby Amaze! #Giveaway #Sponsored #BabyAmaze #VTechToys

I was provided with a sample to review by VTech, all opinions are 100% my own.

Do you remember your first baby doll? Mine was handmade... my Great Grandma made dolls. Here's a clown doll I received as a gift for my second birthday!

 I remember dolls that peed were all the fab when I was a kid, and dolls you could adopt. Baby dolls have come a long way since we were younger!

Baby Amaze is a new line that uses technology to teach nurturing concepts and developmental milestones for toddlers whose parents want more from their role-play dolls.  Your little one can talk to the VTech Baby Amaze Learn to Talk & Read Baby Doll and hear her repeat what they say or read from the three included vocabulary books featuring more than 70 words about animals, food and household objects.

The more your little one talks to the baby doll, the more words and phrases the baby doll will learn and repeat!

Annabelle is loving her Baby Amaze! 

She loves being motherly, and she is enjoying teaching her baby to read, and sing. She even gets surprised by the things Baby says, and it's adorable to see her reactions. Annabelle even employs her brothers as babysitters for her doll.

Annabelle hasn't gotten the "teaching the baby to talk" feature, but she really enjoys reading to her doll, and singing with her doll. I know she's going to enjoy the doll for quite some time, and I'm excited to see her motherly instincts grow as she nurtures this little friend.

The Baby Amaze range of products is available only at Toys“R”Us stores nationwide and online at Toysrus.com.

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A treasure to remember.... #PicturesOnGold #GiftGuide

I received the locket pictured below for the purpose of this post. All opinions are my own.

Jewelry is something that nearly any woman would love to receive as a gift, but how about going one step further and personalize it?! 

I have been absolutely astonished at the speed and beauty of the product from PicturesOnGold.com.

I can understand some people's concern over placing personalized orders- especially online. Since you aren't sure exactly what you are getting. PicturesOnGold.com has launched the "Design your own Locket" app on their page which offers a full preview of what your piece will look like so you can double check everything and get a see how your personalized piece will look.

The locket has 4 customizable areas. The front of the locket is customizable with over 1000 different letter and clip art choices! I chose a simple, but elegant, letter for the front of my locket.

I've always been wary of pictures put in lockets, if water gets splashed on them, or something happens they can be so easily ruined (or fall out).

The picture engraving option is absolutely worth the piece of mind that the photo won't be scratched or ruined by a drop of water.  The engraving is really nice, and they even took out the unnecessary background so that the photo only included the two of us!

The photo of this locket really doesn't do it justice. It is gorgeous in person.

The one thing I would change is the chain. I chose the rolo chain, and I'm just not very fond of it. There are two other choices, as well, but I think it is difficult to see when ordering because of the sterling coloring of the chains and the white background. The rolo chain's size was also much bigger than I expected (I thought it would be more dainty), so the chain images may be much smaller than actual size.

You can also have an inscription on the back. I chose to personalize all 4 areas of my locket, and it will be something I cherish forever. Even though this is obviously for me, it really touched my husband that I chose a locket to wear that focused on our love.

Lockets aren't only to keep photos of your spouse, though, they can really hold anyone that is dear to you close.

This would definitely make a great gift for a loved one. I think it would be an amazing holiday gift to get for someone who has recently lost someone close to them. A sweet gift to hold the person close to their heart, with a favorite, or remembered, saying from their loved one engraved as well. I know of a couple friends who I think this would be a perfect gift for since they both have lost a parent in the recent months.

If you would like to gift this gorgeous memory this holiday season you can use the promo code HOLIDAY 14 at checkout for a 10% discount for all orders placed on  PicturesOnGold

by December23, 2014.

Be sure to follow PicturesOnGold's social media accounts for the most up to date information and sales!

Facebook, Google+, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter

You can also enter to win one of these amazing lockets right here! Just enter using the form below. Prize fulfillment will be in the new year and not available before the Christmas holiday. 

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Amazing Zhus! #TheAmazingZhus #Magic #Christmas #HotToy

This post is part of a sponsored campaign with Cepia LLC and MomSelect. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Be prepared to be amazed! With the The Amazing Zhus, you are sure to get a great show!

One of this year's hottest toys... it's currently not in stock on Walmart.com, but you can have them let you know when it is in stock! You can also look in your local store to see if they're available there.

#TheAmazingZhus #HotToys #ChristmasWish wishlist #Toys

A video posted by Jenilee Whisler (@eightinthenest) on Nov 11, 2014 at 12:33pm PST

^Not sure why this says it was posted on November 11th...since it isn't even close to November 11th yet!

This is just one trick that The Great Zhu can do (and other pets in the Amazing Zhus line). There are some great tricks, too. The Great Zhu can also find the pea hiding under magic cups- every time. 

The Great Zhu also follows your little magician's commands by wand... check it out:

#TheAmazingZhus following the amazing #Nolyn's command! #magic #magicwand #catsofinstagram

A video posted by Jenilee Whisler (@eightinthenest) on Nov 11, 2014 at 12:48pm PST

One look at his classic magician's hat and you can tell that The Great Zhu is a magician of the highest caliber! Amaze your friends with his fantastic magic tricks and stunts! Point the magic wand and he will follow! 

This was Nolyn's favorite trick... and our kitten, Willow's, too! 

Th Great Zhu also comes with some cards to read (and do tricks with) and can explore on his own. 

This pet will go to sleep after 5 minutes of inactivity.... that's a long time. It's my only wish that this interactive pet had a switch to turn him off. Other than that, he's provided many hours of fun for our little ones.

You can also get Madame Zhus, for those kiddos who prefer a more feminine magician (or a purple Zhus)! There are also several stunt pets available in this line, too... so plenty to collect! Prices range from $8 to $30 per item... keep an eye out for sales!

What do you think? Will your kids like these?